CRASH LANDING OF A B-24 LIBERATOR
AT RAAF AIRFIELD DARWIN
ON APPROXIMATELY 18 JUNE 1945

B-24J Liberator, A72-317, ex USAAF No. #44-28122, of 12 Squadron RAAF, piloted by Flight Lieutenant Victor Ernest Fitcher (400975) landed at the RAAF Airfield in Darwin in the Northern Territory at 11:30 am on approximately 18 June 1945 after completing a test flight. The aircraft was landed in a nose up position thereby causing the tail wheel to contact the ground. As a result, the tail wheel assembly was wrenched off and damage was sustained to the skin and rib section of the lower fuselage. There were no injuries to members of the crew.

This aircraft was subsequently destroyed in another accident on the 23 September 1945.

The Accident Report Card shows the damage to this aircraft occurring on 18 June 1945 though this could be the date of the signal.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I'd like to thank Alex Fitcher and Bob Livingstone for their assistance with this web page.

Can anyone help me with more information on this crash?

"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products

This page first produced 28 June 2008

This page last updated 16 September 2026